Cotton-chopper.



B. V. & S. HENRY* l coTToN oEoPPER. ,APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22, 1908.

908,096. I Patented Dc. 29, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

.MQW Ma/.MM is THE Nakms FETE col. wAsHlNoroN, u. c.

B,` v. an s. HENRY, COTTON CHOPPBR. APPLICATION FILED TUNE 22, 1908.

908,096, Patented Dec2 9, 1908.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

mm, y y V 1HE NoRms PETER: co.. msmNrn-MVT19A-x:4

'rn Ferreras param FFCE.

BYRON v. HENRY` AND SMITH HENRY, or LILRsviLLR, NORTH CAROLINA.

COTTON-CHOFER. Y

l Y Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 2 9, 1908.

Application filed .Tune 22 i908.V Serial No. 439,845. 'Y Y cotton choppers and it consists of the novel features of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

The Object of theV invention is to improve and simplify the construction and operation of machines of this character and' thereby render them less expensive and more durable and effective.

The above and other objects of the invention, as will hereinafter' more fully appear, are attained in its preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying, drawings, in

Figure 1 is a top plan view partly inhorizontal section of the improved cotton chopper; Fig. 2 is vertical longitudinal section taken on the lane indicated by the line 2-2 -in Fig. 1; an Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section taken on the plane indicated by the line 3 3 in Fig. 1. Y

ln the drawings 1 denotes the main frame which consists of two side bars 2 united by a transverse axle 3 and a forward cross bar 5 and which constitute the extended rear ends of a pair of shafts 6 between which latter the draft animal is arranged and hitched to a suitable draft connection on the forward cross bar 5. The said bars 2 are further connected by a longitudinally curved or offset brace bar 7 which extends upwardly and is provided for a purpose presently explained. The shaft or axle 3 has its ends rotatively mounted in bearings 8 upon the bars 2 and fixed to it for rotation therewith Vare two ground wheels 9 which serve to support the frame.

Mounted upon the intermediate portion of the shaft or axle 3 is a swinging frame 10 consisting of a transverse tubular member 11, a vrearwardly extending tubular member v12 and a forwardly extending Vmember or arm 13. Said swinging frame 10 is substantially T-shaped in form and has its transverse member 11 arranged upon the shaft 3 for rotary or oscillatory movement. The rearwardly extending member or arm 12 has arranged within ita longitudinal shaft 14'rotatively mounted in lbearings 15, 16 in said member .and having its end projecting out of the former and carrying a hub 17 provided with radiating arms 18. Suitable cotton chopping blades or hoes 19 are secured upon the outer ends of the arms 18 and preferably two of the latter are provided andarranged at diainetrically opposite points upon the hub or wheel. 17 as illustrated. Fixed to the shaft 14 and arranged in an enlarged portion of the arm or member 12 of the swinging frame isa beveled pinion 20 which meshes with a beveled gear 21 iixed upon the shaft or axle 3 close to said swinging frame 10.

ln order to control the depth of the out made by the hoes or choppers 19, l provide a spring 22 foractuating the rear end of the shaft 14 downwardly and an adjustable gage wheel or roller 23 for limiting the downward movement of said end of the shaft and consequently thedepth of the cut made by the hoes. Said gage wheel is journaled in a longitudinal adjustable bracket arm or hanger 24 connected to the member 12 of the swinging frame and depending therefrom. While any suitable means may be provided for adjusting the gage wheel 23, the arm 24 is preferably made to slidably engage sections which are adjustably connected by one or more clamping bolts 25. VThe spring 22 has its lower end attached to the forwardly projecting arm 13 on the 'swinging' frame 10 and its upper end is adjustably lconnected by a screw eye 26 to the curved brace 7 as shown more clearly in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

ln Operation it will be seen that when the machine is drawn forwardly by a draft animal `the motion of the wheels 9 and the axle 3 will be imparted by beveled gears 20, 21 to the shaft 14 of the hoe or chopper wheel which latter will be rotated to chop the cotton. The s ring 22 serves to press the chopper whee downwardly and the gage Vwheel 23 maintains the axis of said wheel the same distance from the surface of the ground without regard to the evenness of the latter so that the hoes 9 will be caused to cut at a uniform depth. This depth may be readily varied by adjustin the hanger 25 of said'gage wheel. It wi be noted that the hoe or chopper-shaft 14 is disposed to one side of the center of the machine to move over the row of cotton to be chopped so that the draft animal and arm 13 and the rearwardly projeeting tu bugage wheel go between the rows.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

l. A cotton chopper comprising a main frame, a rotatable axle Carried by the rear portion of said main frame, supporting and drive wheels upon said axle, a vertically disposed areh upon the lront portion ot the main frame, a swinging frame mounted upon the aXle and having forwardly and rearwardly projecting arms, a rotary ehopping blade carried by the rear arm of the swinging frame and driven 'from saidyaxle, a ooil spring between the front arm of' the swinging frame and said areh for aetuating said rear arm and chopping blade downwardly, and a gage wheel carried b f said rear arm of the swinging frame for limiting its downward movement under the aetion of said spring.

2. The herein described eotton chopper comprising a main frame having a connecting bar and two side bars united by the former intermediate their ends and having their front ends extended to lorm a pair ol shafts, bearings upon the rear ends of said side bars, an aXle rotatable in said bearings, supporting and drive wheels iixed to said axle, a swinging frame mounted upon the axle and having the tubular member l1 to receive the axle, the forwardly proj eoting lar arm l2, a longitudinal shalt journaled in said tubular arm, a ehopping wheel :uf

Lied to the rear end ol'Y said longitudinal shaft and having arms carrying eutting blades, a beveled gear 'lixed to said longitudinal shai't, beveled gear ,lixed to the axle and in mesh with the lirst mentioned gear, a vertically disposed arch uniting the side bars and disposed adjacent to said eonneeting bar, a eoil spring lLved at its lower end to the 'l'ront arm of the swinging frame and having its upper end eonneeted l to said arch whereby the tubular 'rear arm of the swinging 'trame will be actuated doiif'nwardly, a hanger member Vlixed at its upper end to the rear arm. o the swinging `frame and formed with a series ol' openings, a co-aoting hanger member having its upper portion 'formed with a series o'' openingsand its lower end carrying a gage wheel, and bolts passed through said openings in the two hanger members to adjustably secure them together.

ln testimony whereof we hereunto allix our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

BYRON V. HENRY Si lfl'lflil Hl/N ltY. Vitnesses:

M. P. .Viirii, B. R. WALL. 

